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Monday, January 5, 2015

What does it mean to be a crone?

I am a Quaker crone. Not a witch, not a magic woman, just a woman past child bearing who has lived richly and fully, and gained a little wisdom along the way. And I am asking:

So what does it mean to be a crone? Is there some test one has to pass? Is it just a matter of age or reproductive status? Does it mean one has some arcane knowledge?

The simplest definition of crone is someone free of reproductive cycles. No more bleeding! No more pregnancies! Free at last!

But there is more to it than that.
Those of us who are crones, who have passed menopause, have gained some wisdom from a lifetime of experiences.
We have faced death, our own or that of our loved ones.
We have memories, both joyful and wrenching.
We know our own strengths and weaknesses. We can compensate for our weaknesses and use our strengths to good advantage. No wonder we are feared!
We face the future unafraid!
We have established a home that serves us, that keeps us safe.
We have a collection of close friends.
We may have had deep spiritual experiences.
A way to give back, a work, a purpose, or we are retired from such work. Well, Ok, so I am still working on that one. I am retired from teaching, and that was good work. Yet something still calls me. .... Some greater purpose....

I want to tell you my stories.
I want to share your stories.
To share some of the tricks we've learned over the years....

I have my first show of Crones Stories at the Vashon Tea Shop in a month. Still not sure what it will be. Paintings......with stories.....I think.

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